The public is invited to attend an open house and space shuttle main engine test-firing Wednesday, Sept. 10, at NASA's John C. Stennis Space Center.
Gates will open at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday. Open house activities – including exhibits and demonstrations by participating Stennis agencies, speakers, an astronaut lithograph signing and Astro Camp activities for children – will continue until 12:30 p.m. on the lawn near StenniSphere, Stennis' visitor center. Normal StenniSphere operations will be suspended during this event and will resume Thursday, Sept. 11.
Following the open house, guests will be transported to the Propulsion Text Complex viewing site to witness firsthand the shake, rattle and roar of a space shuttle main engine test-firing. Stennis engineers will provide commentary and field questions during the countdown. Stennis began test-firing space shuttle main engines in 1975 and, since that time, has tested every engine used to power the space shuttle into low-Earth orbit.
Guests must arrive no later than noon to attend the activities.
Food and drinks will be available for purchase. Personal coolers will not be allowed on site.
Free passes will be available 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 12, at Wal-Mart in Picayune; 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 19 at Northshore Mall in Slidell, La., and Edgewater Mall in Biloxi; and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 26 at the Kiln and Bay St. Louis libraries. Passes will also be available Aug. 11-30 at the Launch Pad at the Mississippi Welcome Center, I-10, Exit 2 during normal operation hours – Wednesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Each pass admits one vehicle. A limited number of passes will be available. For information, call 1-800-237-1821 or 228-688-2370.
For information about Stennis Space Center, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/centers/stennis/Media members wishing to attend the event should contact NASA News Chief Paul Foerman at 228-688-1880 by noon Tuesday, Sept. 9, to arrange for security clearance and escort. Media members must arrive no later than noon Wednesday, Sept. 10, to allow time for escort.